Now in its 15th year, the First Business Bank Charity Golf Invitationals continue to bring business leaders together who care deeply about their communities. Since 2011, the events have raised more than $850,000 for local nonprofits — all through spirited competition and shared purpose on the golf course. It's a legacy built on generosity, teamwork, and the power of a good idea.
In this milestone year, we’re reflecting on how this unique event began and the remarkable impact it has created across our Wisconsin communities.
How a Different Kind of Charity Golf Event Took Off
The bank's golf invitationals trace their origin back to 2008, when leaders at First Business Bank began thinking about creating an event to support local nonprofits, especially during The Great Recession. Corey Chambas, CEO of First Business Financial Services, Inc., suggested a golf event — but not the standard corporate scramble.
Chambas envisioned something more meaningful and competitive, where every swing matters and the rewards go to charity, but with a competitive twist. His idea was to allow each two-person golf team to select a nonprofit for which they compete. Tournament entry fees paid by the golf teams become donation prizes for the winning nonprofits, which are determined by how well each team plays on behalf of the charity they select. First Business Bank covers all expenses, so every dollar raised goes directly to the winning charities.
“The original thought was business leaders are by nature competitive people, and they are also generous people with specific causes they care about," Chambas said. "This was a way to combine those two things and make it personal for the golfers to want to win. Obviously, any organization that received the proceeds from the winners would be very happy. What was really awesome, which I didn't foresee, was how appreciative all the non-profit leaders were who we invited to the reception. The fact that these golfers would pay to play and compete for their organization really meant a lot to them.”
Once it got started in 2011, the impact was immediate. The winning team won $42,000 that first year for their chosen nonprofit. In the following years, the tournament raised more than $40,000 annually in Madison, and by 2014, First Business Bank launched a second event in Southeast Wisconsin. Since then, 71 nonprofit organizations have won donations from First Business Bank's Charity Golf Invitational, some multiple times. Each and every one was selected by the golfers playing on their behalf.
Over the years, the format evolved to allow more nonprofits to benefit. Instead of a winner-take-all approach, now the top seven teams' charities receive prize donations. This change opened the door for more impact, reflecting the event's growing popularity and the generosity of those who participate.
Making Every Swing Count for Wisconsin Nonprofits
Today, the total donated winnings stand at $858,800, touching countless lives across Wisconsin through the work of dedicated nonprofit organizations. Each charity has its unique story of how these funds have created positive change throughout their communities.
Garding Against Cancer: Funding Life-Saving Cancer Research
Garding Against Cancer is a UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center initiative that raises funds for cancer research and patient care across Wisconsin, ensuring that 100% of donations stay in-state to support innovative treatments and improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Tim Cleary, Executive Vice President of Ideal Builders, who routinely golfs with Jeff Beckmann, CEO of J&K Security Solutions, on behalf of the Carbone Cancer Center's Garding Against Cancer initiative, appreciates the tournament's evolution. Cleary, who also serves as Advisory Board Chair for the Carbone Cancer Center, says, "It's so great that First Business Bank pivoted its model so more charities receive prize money — not just the grand prize winner."
For organizations like the Carbone Cancer Center, the first cancer research center founded by a university in the United States, these donations create a multiplier effect. "At Carbone Cancer Center, they've proven that every dollar donated generates between $12 and $15 in overall philanthropy," Cleary said. "That means the $60,800 Garding Against Cancer has won from First Business Bank's Charity Golf Invitational is worth between $726,000 and $912,000."
“We cannot thank First Business Bank enough for their unwavering support of our research initiatives,” said Dr. Christian Capitini, Acting Director of UW Health’s Carbone Cancer Center. “Gifts like theirs provide seed money for new ideas, allowing researchers to create foundational data needed to apply for larger grants and expand their work.”
Heather Garrison, Program Manager of Garding Against Cancer, shared the special origin story of the partnership between Cleary and Beckmann. "Tim and Ideal Builders have been longtime UW Carbone Cancer Center supporters. When the Garding Against Cancer initiative started, Tim called me asking for a donor who might partner with him — and they needed to be good at golf. I suggested Jeff Beckmann, who is a wonderful supporter and serves on our steering committee. We are so grateful that Jeff and Tim have generously selected GAC each year and have golfed their way to a donation at every First Business Bank outing!"
Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach Greg Gard and his wife, Michelle, started Garding Against Cancer in 2016 to honor Greg’s father who passed away from brain cancer. Since then, they’ve raised more than $9.5 million for cancer research. “We never set out with a financial number in mind,” said Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Greg Gard. “But we’ve been amazed and very humbled by the generosity of people around Wisconsin and can’t thank First Business Bank and the golf duo of Jeff and Tim enough for their impact.”
WayForward Resources: Flexibility to Meet Changing Needs
WayForward Resources (formerly Middleton Outreach Ministry) serves over 13,000 people annually through comprehensive support services including food pantry access, housing assistance, and community-based programs designed to help individuals and families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
Ellen Carlson, Executive Director of WayForward Resources, reflected on being the "winningest" charity, receiving $70,5000 in donated winnings, "We're so grateful we've had a variety of people who have golfed on our behalf over the years. There are so many wonderful organizations in this community — it's all a win for everybody."
For WayForward Resources, the unrestricted nature of the donated winnings has been crucial. "We serve more than 13,000 people a year, and because the funds from the First Business Bank Charity Golf Invitational are unrestricted, it gives us a lot of flexibility as our needs and the community's needs change," Carlson said. "Visits to our food pantry have tripled over the last two years, so community support is really vital to the work we do."
For Carlson, the 2021 tournament stands out because of the chip-off and dramatic end to the tournament. "I got a lot of funny texts and had a lot of conversations afterward about the chip-off, how exciting it was, and how thrilled everyone was. That year Jacob Klein golfed for us. We are connected to him through the work he does in affordable housing. We partner with him to provide services at some of his multi-family buildings, so it was a fun way to further our connection.
The $20,000 prize that year helped WayForward Resources newly launched Connections Housing program for people in doubled-up living situations. That program is still active today, Carlson said. " They may have a place to stay, but it is very unstable and not permanent. Because of the way funding works for most homelessness programs, people in doubled up situations are frequently not eligible and often have a hard time finding services."
Above and Beyond The Playground: Investing in Youth Success
In Milwaukee, the impact has been equally significant. Deonte Tatum, founder and Executive Director of Above and Beyond The Playground Athletics, received $15,000 when his team won the 2020 Invitational.
Above and Beyond The Playground Athletics provides a premier athletic program that extends far beyond sports training, creating hope and opportunity for Milwaukee youth through academic support, leadership development, and holistic preparation for life after high school.
"It was really a godsend," Tatum said. "At the time, we were in a transition in a new space and that opened new opportunities for us. It allowed us to get MacBooks for our student-athletes to study and set up our computer lab. We stretched that $15,000 as far as possible."
Today, Above and Beyond The Playground Athletics is no longer a nonprofit but still operating under its original mission. "One hundred percent of our kids graduated from high school," Tatum said. "A lot of our students from that time are now about to graduate and go to college, too. We've had our first players who were part of our program win the basketball state championship for 'Tosa West. A couple kids from that group have completed master's programs. Another is about to become a licensed pilot. We're still preparing student-athletes for life beyond the game."
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Making Every Shot Matter
The dramatic finish to First Business Bank's 2024 South Central Wisconsin Charity Golf Invitational highlighted the meaningful purpose that drives golfers. Greg Jones, CEO of Forgewell Building Group, recalls the tense moments during the tiebreaker that secured a winning donation for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).
"We finished the event tied for the lead, so both teams entered a chip-off to decide the winner," Jones said. "We were all asked to hit the same shot — from the 1st tee box onto the 18th green at Nakoma — and whichever ball ended up closest to the pin would win it. It felt more like a trick shot than a golf shot, but I was very motivated to raise money for the foundation and share the win with my teammate, Ken Kurszewski."
The high-pressure moment paid off. Jones placed his ball closest to the pin, securing the win for CFF. "I was fortunate to hit a great shot,” he said. “That said, there's no denying some luck was involved — please don't ask me to hit that shot again!"
For Jones, supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through the tournament carries deep personal significance. "It means everything to me and my family to be able to play even a small part in moving the mission forward," he said. "Cystic fibrosis is personal for us and knowing that the support we provide is funding critical research, bringing us closer to a cure, gives this work a sense of purpose that's hard to put into words."
The tournament's unique format continues to attract business leaders like Jones year after year. "This is one of our favorite events of the year," he said. "One of our core values is ‘Giving Back’ and we're always looking for the most effective way to do that. I love this event because it combines giving back with strengthening meaningful business relationships — all wrapped up in a fun, competitive spirit. As a business owner, I'm jealous I didn't come up with the idea myself!"
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's victory at the 2024 tournament adds to the growing list of nonprofits benefiting from First Business Bank's innovative approach to charitable giving through competitive golf.
The Golf Experience: More Than Just a Tournament
Sometimes the most memorable moments during the First Business Bank Charity Golf Invitationals come unexpectedly. Cleary remembers particularly challenging weather the first time he golfed with Beckmann. "The weather was atrocious — windy, rainy, and cold," Cleary said. "And Jeff proceeded to have one of the best rounds of his life. I was just along for the ride. We won the event that day, and I literally contributed one or two shots. A forever partnership was born."
The reception following each tournament gives nonprofit representatives the chance to share their stories and connect with supporters face to face. That personal connection is one reason the events are so well-loved.
"I received a package after one event — it was a thank you card with handwritten letters from kids saying 'Thank you so much for playing for us. We'll be following along on the app and rooting you on as you try to raise money for our charity,'" Cleary shares. "It was like, 'Boy, this is so much greater than just a group of people playing golf on an afternoon.'"
Carlson said she enjoys watching the competitive golf. "The fun thing about attending is seeing all these different business leaders who really enjoy golfing and like to use something they're good at to make a difference. They're really motivated to golf well to support something that's important to them. Making the connection between personal joy and fulfillment is a really neat thing to witness."
Looking Forward: A Legacy of Impact
What makes the First Business Bank Charity Golf Invitational truly special is its innovative approach to giving. As Heather Garrison from Garding Against Cancer pointed out, "What I really love about it is that there are so many golf events out there, but this is the only one I've been to that has this multi-charity model. Even if you don't win, you're still among all these amazing leaders of nonprofits. I've always appreciated the model of the golf outing as really unique."
As First Business Bank celebrates 15 years of the Charity Golf Invitational, we look forward to many more years of bringing together business leaders, competitive golf, and community impact. What started as an innovative idea has become a tradition that demonstrates how business expertise and charitable giving can create meaningful change in our communities.
